Page 88 of Oath of Betrayal
‘I know that in your experience, every time I cast a spell I almost drop dead or fall on my arse if I try to grab a book, but I’m actually quite sturdy.’ He stopped, turning towards me to study my face.
‘Too much?’ he asked with a sigh, and I nodded.
‘A bit,’ I said with a laugh, and he shrugged.
‘I can’t help it. I still can’t believe my luck, but if it’s too much, I’ll stop,’ he said it with such sad puppy dog eyes that I couldn’t help but give in a little.
‘It’s fine as long as you remember it’s for our pleasure,notbecause I need a knight in shining armour to fight my battles.’
‘What a shame. I looksogood in plate armour,’ he said with a mischievous smile, but at my menacing frown, he continued. ‘No, I promise, I promise. Please don’t hex me.’
‘Gods, you are impossible,’ I sighed, chuckling slightly. ‘You won’t regret it.’
‘Yes, I will. You like solving problems too much to stay away from trouble, but I know if I refuse, you’ll just conspire with Vahin to do whatever you wanted anyway.’
‘I would do no such thing!’ I protested, trying to look offended, and he snorted a brief laugh.
‘Oh, you would, but that’s exactly what I love about you.’
‘And here I thought it was because of my irresistible charm,’ I deadpanned, and we walked for another moment in comfortable silence before Orm halted, suddenly serious.
‘Annika, please remember that I need you tomorrow,’ he said before pointing to the door, and we both descended into the cool, soothing interior of Varta Fortress’ healing house.
The scent of burnt flesh assaulted my senses as soon as we walked into the empty antechamber. It was bad. Orm had downplayed the situation so much that I couldn’t help giving him some very serious side-eye.
At least he’d come to get me straight away. But our relaxed banter on the way here felt completely inappropriate now. I was so close to scolding him that I took a deep, calming breath, regretting it instantly. Now wasn’t the time to indulge in anger. Not when the suffering of so many threatened to overwhelm my senses.
The place was cold, with unglazed windows meant to reduce the stifling smell of open wounds. Unfortunately, that also made the wounded soldiers’ moans sound eerily frightening. I knew one raróg could be challenging to deal with, but an entire nest? Those fire demons might be as beautiful as falcons, but being the size of a horse with flames issuing from their beaks, claws, and wings, they were more deadly than any bird of prey.
‘Vahin, how are the other dragons? Should I send some healers there? Please tell me they are all right … Vahin, answer me, you overgrown—If you don’t answer, I will come to your lair and beat the answer out of your scaly arse right now!’
My thoughts were frantic and worried as it suddenly occurred to me that if riders were here, their dragons might also need help. I started freaking out when Vahin didn’t respond immediately.
‘They are fine, Little Flame. Some are a little battered, but we heal fast, and mostly, all we need now is to hunt and feed. You almost knocked me out of the sky, blasting me with your worry. Help your fellow humans and don’t worry about me or any other “scaly arses.” We have ways to heal our injured brethren,’came the amused thought. I inhaled deeply, thankful I could focus on the problems here.
The first issue was breathing. The further inside I walked, the stronger the stench grew. We stopped by a large oak door, and Orm opened it with one hard push. A few men and women in undyed linen aprons turned to stare as we entered but soon dismissed us, returning to their duties. I couldn’t see anyone in green healer robes. That could only mean that they were elsewhere with the injured soldiers in their care.
I could smell the herbal paste often used by healers to prevent wounds from rotting, but this one had the distinctive smell that only Katija could achieve. Yet I failed to see the herbalist anywhere.
When my gaze swept to the furthest corner, I saw a man, marked by death, his eyes glazed by poppy tincture and body charred beyond recognition. ‘Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad?’ I asked quietly. ‘Orm, you need every pair of hands you can get.’
‘I came to find you the moment I’d left the last man on a bed. I couldn’t come earlier, Ani. I led these men, and it wasmy responsibility to get them help first. I failed and—’ I turned, glaring at him, too exasperated to hold back.
‘You didn’t fail them,’ I hissed. Orm’s confession made me realise how broken he felt bringing back so many wounded soldiers. ‘Go to the quartermaster and ask them for all their clean linen and healing paste. Find Katja. If she is not in the garrison, send her here to help with the wounded, then rest—and no, don’t argue.’
‘I sent the healers to the garrison, but not your friend. I will find her and bring her here.’ His voice was uncertain, I took pity on him.
‘Katja probably went with them, so leave her be,’ I said, shaking my head when he opened his mouth. ‘What did I say? Don’t argue with me, not right now. Just do as I ask, please.’
‘If you’re sure you don’t need me … Is there anything else before I go? Fuck, I feel so useless.’
‘Orm, we’ll take care of your men. Just ensure we have the supplies we need,’ I replied, and he walked away. For a moment, I observed his large back and slumped shoulders disappearing into the corridor’s darkness before a cry for help woke me from my stupor.
I looked over the beds and noticed Alaric bent over the one in the far corner. He hadn’t noticed our arrival, as his concentration was focused on a healing spell. I could see the aether move through the sigil as green light surrounded both him and his patient. I couldn’t see the victim, but the silence was not a good sign, so I hurried over. ‘Ari? How can I help?’ I placed my hand on Alaric’s shoulder, and he looked at me like a person awoken from a deep trance.
‘The damage is too extensive, and my reserves are nearly depleted. He needs someone with plenty of power to maintain the high magic of the healing arcana sigil. That’s the only thing that can heal him now. I barely have any aether left, and I can’tsustain it.’ The pain etched in his features mirrored that on the soldier’s face.
‘The only way I could do it is by using foul magic and a blood offering, and that doesn’t work well with humans,’ he explained, more to himself, and I knew he was using my presence as a sounding board.
